CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM

A 24-month conservation management immersion program for highly qualified recent masters degree graduates

20142016

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM

DEVELOPING THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN CONSERVATION
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS PROGRAM STRUCTURE CMTP REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS SELECTION PROCESS PROGRAM APPLICATION DATASHEET 4 4 5 1 1 2 3

CMTP for me is the opportunity to build solid expertise in the field of conservation in Africa through the pragmatic and unique approach of AWF.  Theo Way Nana, CMTP Class of 2012
 Conservation management trainees have the opportunity to gain real-world field and community engagement experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

or more than 50 years, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has been a key player in African conservation and sustainable development. AWF has dened large conservation landscapes that are essential to securing the future of Africas wildlife. Within these priority landscapes, AWF employs an integrated approach to conservation including land-use planning, education and capacity building, development of conservation enterprise to improve livelihoods, and wildlife protection. Africa is large, and AWF is currently pursuing a signicant growth agenda. We are working to extend our impact into 25+ additional geographies that are both highly important for biodiversity, and present opportunities for effective conservation. As AWF progresses on this growth agenda, we will need access to a stock of qualied program leaders, well-trained in

AWFs culture and methodologies, and ready to take on new challenges and new places. AWFs Conservation Management Training Program (CMTP) is one strategy to develop this needed capacity. CMTP is an intensive two-year program that seeks to develop highpotential future conservation leaders from the best masters degree programs worldwide. Successful candidates will gain real-world experience working in AWFs various programs, and emerge ready to serve as serious professionals in African conservation. The expectation is that CMTP graduates will take on long-term roles within AWF.

We are working to extend our impact into 25+ additional geographies

 WF has a long history of training and A educating African conservation professionals.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
Each year, AWF accepts only a small number of trainees (3 5 maximum) into the CMTP so that we can ensure each participant receives adequate coaching and development. As such, the selection process is rigorous. While all are encouraged to apply, ideal candidates will have the following qualications:  C  andidate is a recent masters degree graduate (within the last three years of the CMTP start date) with studies focused on conservation science, environmental economics and policy, climate change, social entrepreneurship, conservation program design, and other related elds.  C  andidate must have at least one year experience working on African conservation issues with a serious and proven dedication to Africa and AWFs mission.  C  andidate will have superb written and oral skills. Fluency in English is required; uency in French is a great advantage. Familiarity with other languages relevant to work in Africa (e.g., IsiZulu, Kiswahili, Maa, Fon, etc.) is also a major plus. C  andidate must be willing to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya, and proceed to at least one long-term assignment at an AWF project site during the tenure of the program. C  andidate must be a team player with high energy, a willingness to learn, and a drive to succeed, and must be able to work with ease within challenging and culturally diverse environments.

 onservation management trainee George Okwaro C was hired into a full-time AWF staff position early, after his first 9-month assignment in Kenyas Mau Forest Complex.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The CMTP acts as a real-world think tank for the future leaders of African conservation. Functioning as regular staff members,
The CMTP acts as a real-world think tank for the future leaders of African conservation. Once candidates are selected, they will embark on a two-year journey across the African continent with many of AWFs greatest thought leaders and scientists. Following is the general agenda that guides these future leaders professional development. (Depending on AWFs needs and trainee perfomance and t, conservation management trainees may be hired as full-time AWF staff before they nish the two- year program.)

ORIENTATION
(3 months) Participants will report to AWFs headquarters in Nairobi for an in-depth orientation of AWFs programs, methodologies, and tools from current AWF staff. This period will include a series of local eld trips to some of AWFs landscapes for a rsthand introduction to the organizations projects and philosophies. Working directly with AWFs program leaders, participants will also engage in short desk assignments intended to produce tangible intellectual output for AWF. This period will also be used for AWF to get to know the participants more fully, including an understanding of their long-term professional goals. Toward the end of this period, AWFs senior program leadership team will assess each participant individually and begin charting each of their tracks both during and after the CMTP experience.

landscape teams to push forward AWFs conservation strategies.

Stage 1 Stage 2
2

participants will work with the

One of AWFs conservation management trainees worked as an interim community development officer in AWFs Kazungula landscape in Zambia.

 ECHNICAL MENTORSHIP T AND FIELD WORK

(20 months) Following the orientation period, participants will be assigned based on their interest, skillset and proven capabilities observed during orientation. Participants should expect to cycle through at least two eld assignments during their program. Functioning as regular staff members, participants will work with the landscape teams to push forward AWFs conservation strategies. For example, the 2013 class of CMTP participants are currently: Working on land policy issues in Uganda; Assisting with community engagement and conservation initiatives in the Kilimanjaro landscape in Kenya; and Providing critical program support across the organization as part of the conservation planning team. In addition to eld assignments, AWF will likely use CMTP participants within its program design team to help develop winning proposals for various public sector donor agencies. Participants will also be called upon, as needed, by AWFs technical leadership team to assist in short-term priority assignments.

The Conservation Management Training Program is likely unparalleled in the conservation sector. Far from a traditional training program, I have found that CMTP has both breadth and depthbreadth in the sense that
 In northern Kenya, an AWF conservation management trainee worked directly with local Maasai to implement land policy issues.

I have had the opportunity to learn holistically about operations and engage with staff across the

DOCUMENTATION AND CAREER PLANNING

organization, and depth in the sense that I have been provided with opportunities to engage proactively in and meaningfully contribute to activities. Sarah Chiles, CMTP Class of 2013

Stage 3

(1 month) At the conclusion of Stage 2 of the program, trainees will reconvene in Nairobi to reect on their experiences. Trainees will work as a team to produce a holistic report on AWFs operations and challenges, and recommend new ideas/strategies/best practices for AWFs future work. This nal report will allow CMTP participants to leave a lasting impact not only on AWF, but on conservation as it is practiced in the context of Africa. This period will also be key in career planning for participants. If participants have not already identied long-term opportunities within AWF, this period will provide time to consult with AWFs human resources and program leadership to plot their course. Having invested two years in each participant, AWF will do its best to nd meaningful positions. However, should an immediate opportunity within AWF not exist, AWF will assist participants by leveraging staff professional networks to help identify outside opportunities. CMTP graduates will receive special consideration for employment with AWF throughout their careers.

 he CMTP allows conservation professionals to T help AWF protect Africas wildlife and wild lands.

CMTP REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

CMTP is an intensive program that requires a long-term commitment by participants. In addition to invaluable training and experience, AWF will offer the following:  One round-trip economy class air ticket between participants home city and Nairobi; C  onveniently located housing in Nairobi for use while stationed at AWFs HQ; Provided housing (appropriate to station location) while stationed in an AWF landscape; L  aptop computer for use while participating in CMTP (to remain the property of AWF); US$2,000 per month stipend; and

 Ndovu House: Conservation management trainees work out of AWF headquarters in Nairobi at the beginning and at the end of the program.

Individual medical coverage.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Individuals wishing to be considered for this program must apply by no later than 30 April, 2014. A complete application will include:  CMTP Application Datasheet (found at the end of this booklet);  Cover letter describing the applicants personal link to conservation in Africa, and justication as to why s/he should be selected for the program (not to exceed two pages);  Curriculum Vitae (not to exceed two pages),  Summary of applicants masters thesis/project and relevancy to AWFs programs and mission (not to exceed three pages); and  A minimum of three professional and/or academic references. Application materials should be well-written and presented in a professional manner. Applications will be accepted via email only at the following address: cmtp-applicant@awf.org. For questions regarding CMTP or clarications on the application process, please send an email to Evelyn Wanyonyi, director of human resources and administration, at ewanyonyi@awf.org. awf.org/CMTP

SELECTION PROCESS
30 April 2014 01 16 May 2014 26 May 6 June 2014 13 June 2014 21 July 2014 Application Deadline Application Shortlisting Candidate Interview (Telephonic) Notice to Successful Candidates Program Start Date in Nairobi

On the arc of history, I am making a mark in restoring a critical ecosystem whose benefit will be felt by generations, courtesy of CMTP. George Okwaro, AWF program officer and CMTP Class of 2012

Photo Credits: Peter Chira, Paul Thomson, Craig R. Sholley, Federico Veronesi / www.federicoveronesi.com, Barbara von Hoffmann/www.vonhoffmannphotography.com, Greg du Toit/NBP Awards 2011, Ewaso Lions and AWF.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM

Program Application Datasheet
APPLICANT DATA
Legal Name Last/Family/Sur Preferred Name (if not first name) Mailing Address Number & Street / PO Box Telephone: Home Cell ( ) Area/City/Country Code City/Town Postal Code Email State/Province Country First/Given Middle Female Male Suffix

DEMOGRAPHICS
Birth Date Day/Month/Year Country of Citizenship Place of Birth City/Town Passport Data Exp. Date Language Proficiency (Select all that Apply): FS-Fluent Spoken; FW-Fluent Written; BS-Basic Spoken; BW-Basic Written; NS-Native Speaker Language FS FW BS BW NS Language # Open Pages State/Province Country

FS

FW

BS

BW

NS

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
College/University Name Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country) Major/Focus Degree Earned Dates Attended mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

College/University Name Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country) Major/Focus

Degree Earned Dates Attended mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

College/University Name Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Major/Focus Attach Additional Sheets as Needed

Degree Earned Dates Attended mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

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CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM

Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Topic/Focus

Program Application Datasheet

Supervisor Dates mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

RESEARCH & INTERNSHIPS

Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Topic/Focus

Supervisor Dates mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Topic/Focus Attach Additional Sheets as Needed

Supervisor Dates mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy

WORK EXPERIENCE
Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Position Dates Day/Month/Year

Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country

Position Dates Day/Month/Year

Organization Location City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country Attach Additional Sheets as Needed

Position Dates Day/Month/Year

HONORS & AWARDS

Honor Name Issuer Date Awarded

Attach Additional Sheets as Needed

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The African Wildlife Foundation, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever.

African Wildlife Foundation Headquarters Ngong Road Karen P.O. Box 310, 00502 NAIROBI, KENYA Tel: +254 20 276 5000 Fax: +254 20 276 5030 Washington DC Oce 1400 Sixteenth Street NW Suite 120 WASHINGTON, DC 20036, USA Tel: +1 202 939 3333 Toll free: +1 888 494 5354 Fax: +1 202 939 3332 awf.org/CMTP africanwildlife@awf.org